HUNTER BIRD BONANZA ! SAVE THE GOULDIAN FUND OPEN DAY 18TH OCTOBER 2008 - OVER 1500 BIRDS TO SEE!
Wow what a weekend!
Mike Fidler's Open Day. Hunter Finch Club's Singleton bird sales day, aviary visits around the famous Hunter finch breeders and a social on the night of Sat 19th! If you are into birds, not a weekend to miss! Mike's Open day will be bigger and better this year. There will be at least 2 scientists from Macquarie University to explain in detail what is happening in the Research Centre. Really interesting stuff that will probably change the way you set up your aviaries and lots more useful information.
New simple ways to completely control coddling moth and black ants, armed with the ideas you pick up you will never be bothered again! Dr Sarah Pryke and Mike will be running workshops outlining the latest advances in avicultural techniques and nutrition. All the results of the latest research as well as answering all questions. You will see 3 different experimental methods of breeding crimson finches and be able to discuss what method would be best for you.
Small groups led by experienced guides will conduct tours of the research block and Mike's birdroom and aviaries giving detailed accounts on what is going on, the techniques used, cage set ups, feeding regime, gadgets explained and any questions answered. There are 2 new birdrooms equipped with unique designer cages which have been purpose manufactured for the research project but are now available on the Australian market. Those busy people who are looking for labour saving ideas and gadgets need only visit this Open Day to make huge steps forward........automatic water systems, seed hoppers that do not get attacked by coddling moth, easy cleaning methods and much more.
Thinking of adding to your facility or building a new set up or simply upgrading what you already have? Geoff Dennis will show you how to use the latest techniques and materials.
IF YOU WANT TO VISIT THE OPEN DAY AND TAKE BIRDS TO THE SINGLETON SALES DAY THE DAY AFTER, THERE WILL BE FACILITIES, including seed and water, for you to leave your birds at Mike's for the day. Enticing TRADE STANDS will temp you to spend your money! For those who have difficulty walking TALKING BIRDS has sponsored a golf buggy to cart you up the hill from the car park! Food and hot and cold drinks will be available. + We will be making the draw for the Save The Gouldian Fund monster raffle-see details below. The cost will be a meagre $25 donation to SAVE THE GOULDIAN FUND, so have fun, meet interesting people, learn a lot and support a very worthwhile cause! Ask John Butler for details of local hotels if you want to book accommodation. We suggest you book for the Open Day NOW as numbers are limited to 150 and also the Hunter Birds Extravaganza is bound to attract bus loads of avies so booking an hotel now might be a clever idea too
BOOKING Send $25 donation + your name and Full address to:
STGF Open Day 16996 Wine Country Drive North Rothbury NSW 2335
Or telephone John Butler on 02 4938 3552 -
Or email marcus_pollard@hotmail.com
LATEST RELEASE - Pekin Robins and Small Softbills, Management & Breeding
This long awaited book on Pekin Robins by Peter Karsten, is sure to prove popular. Not only does the information relate to managing and breeding Pekin Robins but the techniques and text contained also has application to other softbills as well.
Topics include in depth explanations on
* Housing
* Acquisition
* Hand-rearing
* Feeding
* Food Cultivation
* Health Care
The beautiful water colour pages of other softbill species and the many drawings of Peter on almost every page of the book make this an appealing presentation that everyone will enjoy reading. Both novice and experienced aviculturist alike will benefit from this well presented 250 page book making it an invaluable tool for all softbill breeders.
This book can now be ordered by going to our SHOP PAGE.
NEW BOOK - The Bengalese Finch
Bengalese Finches are popular all over the world and are now considered a domesticated species. This book contains not only basic information that can help the beginner, but also has information to help even the most experienced breeder and exhibitor.
It covers, management, accommodation, feeding and breeding, with special sections on colour standards and how to breed them. The genetics are explained in a simple form. All the latest colours are covered. Find out how to produce these colours from your own breeding stock. This will be especially helpful to those wanting to produce and exhibit something different from their birds.
The authors have gained a wealth of experience from breeding and exhibiting Bengalese over many years, and are considered world experts on Bengalese. Originally written in Dutch this book is now been translated into English. Now available from Just Finches & Softbills Magazine.
SEE SHOP PAGE FOR PRICES AND TO ORDER
Water Colour Painting by Peter Karsten
MAKE A BID on this water colour painting by Peter Karsten. It depicts a pair of Silver Eared Mesias and young and below the newly discovered 'Bugan Liocichla'. The painting is 270mm x 360mm. It is featured on the front cover of the latest 'Just Finches & Softbills' magazine, issue 13, released this week. Read more about it on page 3 of the magazine.
Proceeds from this painting will be equally divided between two worthy finch conservation causes. One being the 'Save the Gouldian Fund' and the other 'The Crimsonwing Project' To give you an idea of its value Peter tells us he would normally sell a similar painting in Canada for approx. $500 Canadian dollars.
To bid simply click on 'enquire about this item' below and give us your name and contact details and your bid. We will keep this page updated with the latest bid as they are lodged.
The auction finishes at 5pm, 20th August, 2007.
There were no bids on this painting. If you are interested please email us.
New DVD available "At Home with Mike Fidler"
We are pleased to advise everyone of a new DVD presentation, that should be of interest to all finch breeders, although all birdkeepers in general, I am sure, will enjoy the presenation.
'At Home with Mike Fidler' is a series of interviews with well known aviculturist and 'Save the Gouldian Fund' patron Mike Fidler. It looks at his Aussie aviaries and gives tips for birdkeepers in caring properly for your birds.
This is formatted for Australia and New Zealand however it can be played in most countres on a laptop computer with DVD capabilities. See our shop page to order.
The Crimsonwing Finch Conservation Project
The Rare Finches Conservation Group in association with the Wildlife Conservation Society have taken on an ambitious project. It involves researching the Crimsonwing Family of finches in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda.
The four species of Crimsonwings including the Dusky, Red Faced, Abyssinian and Shellys are all decreasing in numbers. The group is hoping to find out why? Very little information has been gathered on this family of finches. The park is also home to 320 Mountain Gorillas.
Shellys Crimsonwing is the rarest in this group and as far as anyone knows, the bird has never been photographed. Data will be gathered on the birds, through both active searches and mist netting. It is yet another opportunity for aviculture to get involved with Finch conservation, something already happening through the "save the Gouldian Fund". If you would like to assist those undertaking this project, then please get in touch through the RFCG website » click here « or contact Simon Espley at: simon@africageographic.com
What a great way for aviculture to give something back to the birds that give us so much pleasure !
You can read more about this whole project in Just Finches & Softbills magazine, Issue 12 released during March.
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